Costumes and Props Rules

Clockwork Alchemy Costume Rules & Limitations

  • All con attendees must wear shoes at all times while in official convention space. Even if a character goes barefoot, the cosplayer must wear footwear for safety.
  • Costumes and daily wear shall not expose the body in such a way as to be deemed indecent exposure under California and City of San Mateo ordinances. Private parts must be covered in an opaque material and not be subject to slippage or gaps. Liquid Latex or other conformal body coatings will be judged on a case by case basis.
  • All costumes worn within the hotel must fit through a standard doorway.
  • No costume may generate odor, smoke, or fog, or have overly bright or flashing lights.
  • All costumes with limited visibility and/or movement must have a “handler” to assist with crowd navigation and safety. This also applies to costumes with large “wings” or other oversized elements.
  • No costumes may be realistic depictions of Law Enforcement or current Military uniforms, or have the words POLICE, POLICIA, SWAT, FBI, DEA, CIA or any other official Government Agency names or initials from World War II to the present on them.
  • All in Attendance, including artists, performers, staff, and presenters, are prohibited from wearing items displaying symbols associated with hate groups or that are intended to hurt or demean others.
  • Official flags shall be respected, and cannot be worn as part of a costume. They must be on a flagpole. Home-made or unofficial flags are exempt from this rule.

Clockwork Alchemy Prop Rules & Limitations

Clockwork Alchemy does not currently require props to be peace bonded. However, any props carried at Clockwork Alchemy must be carried responsibly. If you want to carry a prop at Clockwork Alchemy and are unsure if it is acceptable, with the exception of explicitly banned props, these props will be judged on a case-by-case basis and may require peace bonding.

Weapons and Props purchased or made during Clockwork Alchemy must conform to the prop policy, or else be contained in a box or bag, and removed from the premises as soon an possible.

Certain weapons are banned no matter what:

  • Anything which is illegal in the City or County of San Mateo , State of California, or the United States in general.
  • Any object that can be considered a real weapon. This includes, but is not limited to: Live steel [1] or any object heavy enough to be considered dangerous. Some objects such as bats, whips, batons etc. may be allowed at the discretion of the Head of Bobbies or one of the Bobbie seconds.
  • Incendiary devices. This includes any prop which can easily be mistaken for an item such as a bullet or grenade.
  • Any prop made of glass, or which has glass on it.
  • No Bow like prop may hold under tension at any time. Real bows may not be strung and props may not be strung if tension is required to string them. Arrows must be blunt ended and secured to a quiver.
  • Firearm Props which are suitably realistic and could be mistaken for a real firearm. This includes airsoft, bb, and any training firearms (made of metal, plastic, or rubber).
  • Any item may be added to this list at any time by Clockwork Alchemy. Changes will be posted at Bobbies Base, and to the website.

Some props are allowed conditionally:

  • Firearm style props must have a non-removable orange tip at the end of the barrel which is visible from the side and which extends at least one inch up the barrel, or they must be painted all over in a bright safety color. They cannot have any functional parts, and must not be useable.
  • Sword-like props may not be made of live steel [1].
  • Signs appropriate to a costume may be allowed.

All props must be small enough to fit through a standard doorway without effort. While carrying props, you will be held to very strict behavior standards:

  • Props may not be brandished, flailed around, or used (for play-fighting, or otherwise).
  • Especially in crowded areas, attendees are expected to carry their props carefully and in a neutral position. Long or tall props must be carried vertically, and sword-like props should be holstered or otherwise secured.
  • Using props in an unsafe or threatening manner may result in more severe consequences.
  • Firearm like props may not be pointed at anyone at any time.
  • Any behavior which a Clockwork Alchemy staff member considers to be unsafe or unacceptable will result in appropriate action.

Potential Consequences for Violations:

First Offense:

  • Props: Require the prop to be peace bonded or taken off premises.
  • Costume: Required costume modification/removal or acquisition of a handler.

Second Offense:

  • One day badge suspension and/or full-weekend suspension of prop privileges.

Third Offense:

  • Badge pulled.

Clockwork Alchemy reserves the right to modify consequences as necessary at their discretion.

[1] Clockwork Alchemy defines “Live Steel” as metal or ceramic which can take an edge. Dull metal weapons are considered live steel, and therefore are not permitted. While this primarily applies to swords, it can also apply to other props.

Clockwork Alchemy reserves the right to modify the Code of Conduct at any time.